I love avocados, sometimes (read: daily) stand on my head to get my creative juices flowing, and I could listen to The Beatles sing, “I’ve Just Seen A Face” everyday, for the rest of forever.

Wondering what goes on here? Yup, so are the rest of us.

1. I am a lifestyle photographer. I have the most remarkable clients in the world, and I share their images here to inspire us all to live life with greater love, meaning and joy.

2. I am a writer. This blog is full of many of the curious thinks I have thunk.

3. I am a speaker and life/business consultant. I post upcoming speaking engagements and consulting information here as well.

4. I am most fulfilled by my work as a wife and mother to my 4 sons, one of whom now lives in Heaven. I share bits and pieces of our journey here on this blog. Including our ongoing struggle with grief, our experiences with ADHD and SPD, and our solid faith in a God much bigger than the challenges we face.

But ultimately, I hope that this blog is about something much bigger than all of that.My dream is for this blog to be a place where real life comes to be celebrated and enthusiastically embraced. Not just the pretty stuff, with tailored hems, clean lines,and the new colors for spring . . . but everything else, too. The frazzled mornings, broken hearts, crazy dreams, messy kitchens. . . even the fear, failure, hopelessness and devastation. I want this blog to be a place for every bit of what makes us all living, breathing, feeling human beings, experiencing together this remarkable thing called life.

May this be a place of passion, purpose, laughter, tears, friendship, encouragement and inspiration for us all.

In 2010, our perfect *”Baby Gavin” returned to Heaven after losing a courageous battle with **Pertussis (whooping cough). We are eternally and profoundly grateful to the thousands upon thousands (upon thousands) of friends and strangers from all over the world, of all faiths and creeds, who united with our family in prayer during Baby Gavin’s horrific illness and who grieved with us and continued to petition God in our behalf during the dark days following his tragic death. You may read Gavin’s story as it unfolded by visiting my old blog here. I am committed to sharing my ongoing struggles with grief and our journey toward joy here on the new blog. I am always humbled and amazed by the continued outpouring of love and support. Thank you for sharing in our journey and inspiring us with your unceasing love! God is good!

*My brother Gavin passed away unexpectedly in 2007. With all these Angel Gavins, it can get a little confusing at times, so just know that when I refer to “Gavin” I’m referring to my wonderful brother. When I refer to “Baby Gavin,” it is in reference to my perfect son, both of whom I cannot wait to see in Heaven!

**You will periodically see me blog about The Sounds of Pertussis campaign. I am an unpaid spokesperson and am only compensated travel expenses where applicable for my involvement with this important cause. Join our fight against this deadly communicable disease at www.soundsofpertussis.com or like us on facebook at www.facebook.com/soundsofpertussis.

I’m jetting off to the airport to catch a flight to Tampa for the first leg of the Making Things Happen Tour! Wahooo!! I’ll be blogging every weekday of the tour (that’s the goal) so stick around! You can also catch daily inspiration from the girls and I (Lara, Gina, Emily) over on the Making Things Happen Tumblr. (And if Tumblr makes ZERO sense to you–it didn’t used to make sense to me at ALL–just think of it as a microblogging platform, falling somewhere between a full fledged blog and Twitter. It’s pretty amazing.)

Taking off on this trip is so exciting for me. It is nearly impossible for me to believe that just over 2 months ago, I knew nothing of the Making Things Happen Intensive, nothing of Lara Casey, nothing of Gina Zeidler or Emily Ley, and I’d never eaten Southern grits to boot. It is completely amazing that in such a short time, this intensive has become such a significant part of my life and that Lara, Gina and Emily have become 3 of my very dearest friends the world over. It’s beautiful what wonderful things can come into our lives when we’re out looking for them.

Deciding to register for Making Things Happen Maui was a total fluke. It was a fluke that the intensive ended up on my computer screen to begin with. It was a fluke that I thought, “Sure, I’m going to drop $1,200 to go spend a day on Maui with a women I’ve never even heard of.” It was a fluke that only days later I was on a plane with Richie in tow.

. . . Except that it really wasn’t a fluke at all.

If there is ONE SINGULAR THING in my life that I’m good at, it’s this: I follow my gut. And in this case, my guts led me to Maui, and my decision to follow their lead, changed the course of my life forever. Yes, I really believe that. 100%.

Shelly:
So exciting! By the way, I'm loving that map! January 18, 2011 5:01 pm

Dolly:
Sorry I missed you (in our hopeful attempt at a phone meeting). So, so busy as the mom of my teenagers plus an extra one that just moved in.
Just so you know, I am MAKING things HAPPEN also. You would be amazed at how it's all falling in my lap. Nothing can compare to, "when it's the right time..... "
I'll catch up to you at some point but rest assured, I've got it under control. Would love to join one of your tours at some point though! January 18, 2011 5:32 pm

Natalie:
Dolly! Call me tomorrow! I'm still planning on shooting for you early Feb! Can't wait to make magic together! We are a GREAT team! January 18, 2011 5:46 pm

Amber Housley:
Can't wait to meet you this weekend in Atlanta. I started reading your blog over a year ago. And I never thought our paths would really cross...and now here we are. :) January 19, 2011 5:11 am

natalie:
Amber, I can't wait to meet you! It's going to be a soul shaking weekend! Get ready to get down to some serious business! xx!!! January 19, 2011 8:02 am

Amie:
We need the tour to come to San Diego! How many attendees would we need to make it happen? January 19, 2011 2:25 pm

natalie:
Amie, This is the only tour scheduled for 2011 and as of today, it's sold out! Get on the waiting list by emailing Marissa{at}laracaseyreps.com January 19, 2011 4:21 pm

When you’re on the hunt for absolute magic, it’s hard not to get sidetracked along the way. It’s hard not to settle for FANTASTIC. Because, fantastic, is well. . . FANTASTIC! But I had to keep reminding myself, I wasn’t looking for fantastic, no matter how bright and shiny the lights or how clear and clean the bells and whistles. I was looking for just.right.for.me. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that there is power in patience (though granted this was over and done in under a week) but MOST importantly, there is power in specificity (as evidenced by the fact that this WAS in fact over and done with in under a week).

I had laid it all out there. . . defined exactly what “just right for me” looked like, felt like, smelled like for crying out loud! And I found her. Erin Jane is just right. For me. For my family. For my business . . . And the beauty of it (which I also specifically laid out in my ad) is that I am just right for her. For her dreams, her ambitions, her remarkable potential! I’m beyond excited to see what we can make happen together, and I’m doubly excited to introduce her to you, now!

Here’s Erin’s application in response to my (again, very lofty and very extraordinarily specific) want ad. Tell me you wouldn’t have hired her on the spot.

Perfect cover page.

Perfect cover letter.

Perfect resumé.

Folks, what do you want for yourself? Your family? Your business? What do you DESERVE for yourself? Your family? Your business? Do you even know?

One of my very favorite concepts of all time was taught to me by Stephen R. Covey (and if you’ve EVER heard me speak, it’s quite likely you’ve heard this before). Summarized: don’t waste your time climbing up the “ladder of success” until you’re sure it’s leaning against the right wall!

You deserve to know what you want and where you’re headed. You.deserve.it.

If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll never feel satisfied by, or comfortable with, your forward momentum. You’ll find yourself constantly revving the engine with one foot while simultaneously slamming on the breaks with the other, and that’s no way to drive. That’s no way to live.

YOU.DESERVE.MORE.

And to Erin I say, welcome to the family girlfriend! Let’s get a move on!

mer:
hooray - she is lovely! can't wait to see what you ladies dream up and make happen :) January 14, 2011 6:47 am

karen:
i believe this is a match made in heaven! i was just looking back over her wedding pictures you took; she's an amazing talent. i can't to see what you two come up with...the possibilities are endless! January 14, 2011 7:44 am

Amanda Fultz:
My most sincere congratulations!!! I cannot wait to see what you do together! Praising God for you finding each other ~ with lots of Love and Prayers! ♥ January 14, 2011 4:42 pm

Heather:
I like Erin Jane for a lot of reasons. One of them just so happens to be this one time when a guy I was dating either dumped me or made me sad (I can't really remember the details). What I do remember really well though was when Erin found out, she marched right up to his work and told him she hopes his cast gets wet (he had broken his arm and wasn't able to do anything for months).
Erin is awesome...AND very loyal!!!! xoxo January 15, 2011 5:07 am

Natalie:
Heather, that made me laugh out loud. I hope his cast DID get wet. . . And that it then smelled all musty. January 16, 2011 10:29 pm

Chung Nguyen:
I hope it all works out beautifully - yay! Go, Erin! January 18, 2011 11:16 am

During the beginning part of 2010, I felt a lot like I look here. Only about 72 billion times worse. Times 2.

Plus there were a full 48lbs more of me to love. Which didn’t lighten my spirits any, trust you me.

I’ve been thinking a lot about 2010. Like most of us, I tend to become introspective at the close of a year.

For example:

I clearly remember at the end of 2006, looking back with Richie at the ups and downs of that year and saying, “Babe, 2007 is going to be OUR YEAR! What else could POSSIBLY happen?!” Then my brother died June 17th 2007 (Father’s Day), and that pretty much threw 2007 (and a good portion of 2008) straight to The Underworld (in a busted up hand basket).

But I survived. Despite (lots more) death, betrayal and huge financial set backs, and despite far more doubt than I’d ever admit publicly, and despite fear, Hell and high water, 2007-2008 were the years I survived. Many times during that period I had wanted to be dead and done, so surviving was all a girl could hope for. I patted myself on the back (wholeheartedly), stood up, and brushed off my back side to face 2009 like any big girl should.

I’m genuinely proud of myself for 2007 and 2008. Sometimes, I wish I could scoop “that girl” (the 2007-2008 Natalie) up into my arms and give her a big hug. To rock her back and forth, and quietly tell her, “it’s going to be all right.” So I’ll say it to you, yes YOU, It’s going to be all right. It really, truly is. Promise.

In 2009 things were looking up. There were still struggles (a’plenty) to be negotiated, but thankfully I’d learned a thing or two or four hundred in 2007 and 2008 and was ready to face difficulty head on. Plus I had a beautiful little bun in my oven! Who could doubt that things were looking up?! Yahoo!

Well. . . at the end of 2009, there I sat, in a hospital room, with a dying child and bottle of Martinellis (that I had no way of opening). 2009 left without a shred of crowning glory, and 2010 was deemed nothing more than the year my son would get better. I couldn’t see beyond that. Didn’t want to. Didn’t need to. All I needed was for that boy to be well.

So, 2010.

This post is meant to be dedicated to you, so what do you have to say for yourself?

After Gavin died, I had ZERO expectations, so you didn’t have much to live up to. If all you’d done was float me like your baby brothers 2007 and 2008 did, that would have been enough. No one had the right to expect a single thing out of me. If I’d of holed up in my bedroom, with a pillow over my face the entire year, I’d have been pittied, sure, but blamed for it? Not a chance.

Well, here it is. Humbly, and from my heart.

2010 was the year I found my ROAR.

I learned how to laugh, how to cry, how to hurt, how to love, how to believe, how to trust, how to simplify, how to let go . . . how to change.

I learned:

Every.single.morning, the sun will rise.
Circumstance has no power except the power we give it.
Many of life’s largest “problems” are born of thoughts and feelings and have zero basis in reality.
There is always SOMEONE to reach out to.
God can’t sail a ship that hasn’t left the harbor.
I am responsible for my life. No matter what.
I may not be able to choose my circumstances, but I can always choose my reaction to them.
The Savior is not only my Redeember, but my dearest friend.
There is a reason we are commanded to cleave unto one another as husband and wife.
A happy marriage takes real effort. And it’s worth it. 1000%. I love you Richie!
My children deserve all of me, and not what happens to be left over after everything else.
The world will go on spinning without me!!!! Fancy that! It’s OK to have lofty dreams and ambitions!!!
ANYTHING is possible!
My brother is always closer than I think. I can often feel him in stillness.
Stillness is an essential part of my search for happiness.
Physical and spiritual health are my lifelines to success. If I want to be balanced and successful in ANY other areas of my life, these have GOT to come first.
I have to stay hydrated/I have got to avoid sugar/I need to be well rested/I have to make time for serious exercise at least 5 times a week.
I can’t do everything at the same time: at least not by myself.
It’s OK to ask for help.
Letting go is a wonderful gift.

I could write 82 blog posts outlining everything I learned this year, and I could type until my fingers turned blue only to BEGIN to tell you everything I’m grateful for!

Because guess what? And I can say this with ZERO hesitation:

2010 was the best year of my life!

How on Earth can that be?! EVERYTHING was stacked up against me. It’s important remember that not all my living is done within the confines of this here blog. This was a BIG year, Gavin being the biggest part of it, yes, but oh boy was it a big FAT year in just about EVERY other way as well.

and yet. . .

and yet.

and yet.

Gets you thinking doesn’t it?!

Despite it all, oh what a healthy dose of faith and some determination can do!

“With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Heavenly Father has given US, my family and I, a complete and total miracle in 2010. For that I say, “Thank you. . . THANK YOU. . . THANK YOU!” For lessons learned, tears shed, faith exercised and roar found.

Erin:
Natalie, over this last year you have shown us such courage and faith and that is huge. Seriously, some of your post have been nothing short of amazing. I am not sure I have ever left a comment but thanks for sharing all that you do! January 10, 2011 5:10 am

aileen:
rock on sista. love you lots and so blessed to call you friend. you inspiration you. xoxo A January 10, 2011 5:23 am

Michelle:
Hi Natalie, We do not know each other, but I read your blog daily and you are so inspiring to me. The way you write about the difficult times in your life brings me to tears and at the same time it is encouraging. I know of a young mother who suddenly lost her husband 2 days before Christmas. Her writings remind me a lot of yours. I thought you might want to check hers out...maybe be a light for her. Her blog is teachingtuckandty.blogspot.com January 10, 2011 7:23 am

Lara:
I LOVE YOU NATALIE NORTON!!! I cannot wait to hug you next week!!!! xoxoxox January 10, 2011 8:18 am

chelsea:
you are such an inspiration! so talented & amazing at putting your feelings into writing. I stumbled across your blog a little while ago, and have been hooked ever since. thank you for sharing you, with us! January 10, 2011 12:42 pm

Kerri:
Natalie, you amazing woman, thank you. And what a coincidence...I just wrote my own "And yet" post last night. Or maybe that's not a coincidence. Maybe it's having had your example that helped me look past our own tragedy to the growth and beauty of the year past. Thank you for your kindness and for your prayers and strength. I am beyond grateful. And I'm determined that 2011 will be full of AMAZING things. January 10, 2011 12:51 pm

Lindsay:
You certainly made me feel like it was okay to roar and to cry and to laugh. Thank you. January 10, 2011 5:50 pm

Brooke:
My son died this year as well. I also feel like I learned a lot and the Lord showed me so much through losing him. I wish every day that he were here....but I know that good has come from it in a way I never would have imagined. Thanks for this great post! January 10, 2011 6:42 pm

Amie:
I love your happy dance picture and the rock solid testimony you share with such amazing grace!
I love you Nat! Richie too! January 10, 2011 7:09 pm

Rachel B:
I love that ROAR! I must say that is the best Nat face I have seen. You are my shining example, I need to CUT the crap & give 2011 my ROAR! January 10, 2011 9:42 pm

Sarah F:
Natalie, I have just printed your "what I learned" list and stuck it on my fridge. These are exactly what I need to learn and remember! I'm having a horrid time of late and seeing this post when I woke this morn (In Australia) was just the inspiration I needed to do something big for me and now I have done it. A seven day health retreat starting this Sunday to restore my heart and soul. So thanks again! Sarah x PS Still haven't overcome the running mountain but am working on it! January 10, 2011 10:00 pm

Joel Flory:
Just read your story in the midst of working late and wanted to say thank you so much for bring focus into my own life of what really matters. May 2011 be your year and then some. January 10, 2011 10:17 pm

Marsha:
Inspirational. In so many ways and more. You are one AMAZING lady. xx January 10, 2011 10:21 pm

Rhys:
An extremely inspirational post...
I truly wish you a fantastic 2011 :-)
Oh, and you're blog is now bookmarked, I'll keep an eye on it. January 10, 2011 11:57 pm

Amelialyon:
What an amazing post, I feel inspired, energized & a whole heart filled with gratitude! Yes 2010 was a great year & 2011 will be even better!! I learned a profound lesson yesterday in Sunday school & it hit me like a ton of bricks- you know how much the Lord trusts you by the trials he gives you! The Lord must REALLY trust you Natalie & look how you've endured and endured well! I'll always look up to you for that!! Here's to an amazing 2011! Cheers! January 11, 2011 12:28 am

Tami Ling:
Thank you, Natalie. You are such an inspiration and I am humbled and touch by your amazing honesty and willingness to share. Keep it up!
Blessings for 2011 and beyond! January 11, 2011 8:39 am

Megan:
I know Mike Colon and when high water rose at the end of 09 beginning of 10, I prayed for you. I have followed you ever since...reading your inspirational words..today..specifically..your words reached out beyond your blog and touched me in a significant way..a life changing way..thank you. January 11, 2011 2:23 pm

Amanda:
Fabulous. I can't agree more about our reacting to things in life- I share that with you! Thanks for sharing the rest- it's amazing. January 11, 2011 4:39 pm

Angela:
You rock my socks :) Thank you for sharing your heart and soul, and letting all of us be a part of your amazing life! ROAR, girl :) January 11, 2011 6:41 pm

magdalene:
natalie, you have inspired me so many times before and after things went a little haywire in my life in 2010...i don't remember how i found your blog, but am sure i was meant to. you have a beautiful soul, and are an amazing artist. thank you! January 13, 2011 5:09 pm

loni:
hi, my aunt gave me your link to your blog, it helped me a lot, i am going through a lot right now, thank you. i just started a blog to help get my feelings out and it is helping more than i thought it would.
www.theponceaponits.blogspot.com January 17, 2011 10:07 am

courtney:
I finally just read this post (I'm so behind on my blogs!) and it moved me to tears. thank you so much for being so open with your faith, struggles, and inspiration. January 27, 2011 6:10 am

Cyndi Jordan:
My sweet friend referred me to your blog a few weeks ago in my struggle to deal with my baby boy's death this last year. I've been catching up with your story and have been amazed and inspired by you. I can't say I'm roaring with you yet, but you're inspiring me to start squeaking. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! January 31, 2011 8:54 pm

Meg:
Thank you for sharing this Natalie. You have really inspired me to get up off my butt... and find my roar. It's about time. Thank you for that. February 1, 2011 8:51 pm

jessica sands:
i read through your gavin posts and sobbed. you are amazing and inspiring! god bless! February 3, 2011 9:40 am

Sometimes, when you’re “knee deep in the thick of life,” as I like to say, it’s so easy to get focused on your feet. To feel the weight of the world as it threatens to CRUSH your very soul. We’ve all been there. Don’t you dare dream, for even an instant, that I think grief and pain are exclusive to me or my individual set of circumstances. We’ve all got our “stuff,” and as a runner, I’ll tell you what, it only takes a very small pebble to bring you to your knees.

Life gets heavy . . . and oftentimes so.

Even the small stuff can feel completely and totally insurmountable.

Sometimes it’s not fair. Sometimes we feel all alone. Sometimes we can’t see any way up and out. Sometimes we literally feel like we’re being SUFFOCATED.

I’ll tell you this: “Look up!” Get your eyes off your feet and up to the Heavens, because there’s ALWAYS something to be grateful for.

Alisa Greig:
thank you nat. so true. discovering how to be grateful in all things--we are blessed :) January 5, 2011 10:24 pm

Sarah:
Thanks Nat. I am really struggling with my own stuff at the moment and this is exactly what I needed to hear. xx January 5, 2011 10:26 pm

aileen:
indeed. i make sure i'm smiling when i run. if i'm grimacing, i make myself run farther and smile more. :) oh, and look up, yes. it's amazing how far you get when you look ahead and you're not focused every.little.step. on where you've been. xoxo A January 5, 2011 10:27 pm

Ashley Daniell:
What a beautiful post Natalie! Thank you for reaching out to the world to share your faith. Your words help and encourage me! And you have a GORGEOUS family! :-) January 5, 2011 10:33 pm

Sarah:
I hadn't checked out your site in a while (things have been a little nuts around these parts) but as my baby girl's birthday approaches, I am thinking of you.
Wasn't it yesterday that I sat here staring in shock at this very same screen? I was holding my tiny new girl and feeling BEYOND sorry for myself that after three long months of complete bedrest (while my 6,5 and 4 year old looked on...) I had given birth to a child that was so uncomfortable that all she could do was scream. Loudly. Every single second of every sing hour of everysingle day.
And then I read your news. I sat in this chair, holding my screaming baby and cried. For a really, really, really long time. I have never been more grateful for the sounds of colic in all of my 28 years.
And tonight I was reading and as I read this quote, I thought of you. And I said a prayer (or 100).
I know that Heavenly Father is beyond grateful for your strength and ability and willingness to share your story and testimony at the same time, with the outlook that you have. May He continue to bless you and yours with comfort.
""Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself."
— C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity) January 5, 2011 10:59 pm

natalie:
OH MY GOSH SARAH. That quote is POWERFUL. I love it so much. I want to print it and hang it in my office. Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I am honored and humbled that something so very beautiful reminded you of me. . . January 6, 2011 12:12 am

Brenda:
You inspire me to love more, give more, every single day :) January 6, 2011 12:28 am

Marsha:
What a beautiful post Natalie. There truly is always something to be grateful for. I need to remind myself of this at times. xx January 6, 2011 12:45 am

shari:
you lied. i still cried! but it's not your fault that i'm a bawl baby...happy or sad, tears always seem to flow easily from my eyes!
you did give me lots of warm fuzzies though.
thank you. :) January 6, 2011 3:56 am

wendy:
Very very powerful post today Natalie. Thinking of you alot these last few days. You are such an inspiration. xoxo wendy January 6, 2011 5:56 am

Kim:
You are one hot mama. Tsssssst. Thanks for always being so amazing. January 6, 2011 6:11 am

Briony:
thank you for always being so transparent and for always encouraging and challenging. you are a bright light in a world full of gray. January 6, 2011 7:54 am

heidi:
You are a stellar daughter of God. The way you write is so real and brings so much emotion to all who read. You are giving us all more faith and hope in our loving Heavenly Father and the sacrifice of his son & our brother Jesus Christ. For that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are in my thoughts and prayers. January 6, 2011 10:03 am

Karen Stott:
Just wanted to say thanks for that. You are right. I need to look heavenward way more than I do. January 6, 2011 11:22 am

natalie:
Truly inspiring! I love the way you write... January 6, 2011 7:09 pm

Aroha:
At the risk of sounding like a psycho stalker, which I swear I am not, I think I have a total girl crush on you! haha. I think you are truly the epitome of the saying "beautiful inside and out". That pic in the middle, you are stunning. But from reading your blog for 18 months now, I know your outer beauty is nothing compared to your inner beauty. January 6, 2011 8:35 pm

Tara:
Thank you so much for your words. They have truly touched a my soul. Thank you for your faith, and your example. thank you. January 6, 2011 9:20 pm

Corinne:
You are so strong. You inspire me to be a better mother and to cherish each moment with my children. My prayers are with you. January 6, 2011 10:02 pm

Lisa Tilley-Newman:
Natalie, you perfectly let yourself feel... That's what makes you so beautful. It takes a strong person to feel grief and joy at the same time. You are my definition of strength. I am praying for you, baby Gavin, and your entire family today and always. (p.s. I love LOVE those photos). Love, Lisa January 7, 2011 6:30 pm

Angie Price:
you are beautiful - both inside and out! xo January 7, 2011 8:00 pm

sarah:
Wow, you are amazing. So inspirational. Thank you for sharing your story. You inspire me. God Bless. January 22, 2011 8:11 pm

Here’s the thing. This workshop isn’t for EVERYONE, but it is for ANYONE who is ready and willing to dig deep and commit to success! Yes, you read that right, not just photographers. ANY and ALL entrepreneurs (budding or established) and big dreamers ready to make things happen in 2011 would benefit TREMENDOUSLY from this intensive!